What Is Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse? Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult is abuse of: Someone 65 years old or older; or. A dependent adult, who is someone between 18 and 64 that has certain mental or physical disabilities that keep him or her from being able to do normal activities or protect himself or herself.

The law says elder or dependent adult abuse is: Physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction (taking the person out of the state against his or her will), or other behavior that causes physical harm, pain, or mental suffering

“Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation“; or. “An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”